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Which organs can be affected by systemic lupus erythematosus?
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immune system disorder
False-color scanning electron micrograph of a T cell infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the agent that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect virtually any organ or structure in the body. The disease occurs when the immune system produces autoantibodies that form immune complexes, which then deposit in tissues and cause inflammation and injury.12
While the condition is highly variable and no two individuals experience identical symptoms, the organs and systems most commonly affected include:
- Skin: Often manifesting as rashes, such as a butterfly-shaped malar rash or discoid lesions.31
- Kidneys: Inflammation of the kidneys, known as glomerulonephritis, is a frequent and significant concern.3
- Joints: Nondeforming arthritis is a common clinical finding.31
- Heart and Lungs: Inflammation of the serous membranes, such as the chest lining (pleurisy) or the sac enclosing the heart (pericarditis).23
- Nervous System: Involvement can lead to neurological disorders, including psychosis or convulsions.31
- Gastrointestinal Tract: The digestive system can also be affected.1
Most individuals experience symptoms in only a few of these areas at any given time.1